Council meetings move to the evening starting Monday

Members of Brock Township council are gearing up for an evening meeting on Monday (Jan. 7) – the first in a six-month trial schedule.

Last month, council newcomers Mike Jubb (Ward 1) and Claire Doble (Ward 2) brought forward a proposal that would see committee meetings get underway at 1 p.m. and council meetings start at 7 p.m.

“The motion put forward by myself and Coun. Doble to have evening council meetings was done for one main reason – to increase public engagement and include the public as much as possible,” Coun. Jubb said in an interview.

“Transparency is a very big priority for council and having meetings on a Monday morning at 10 a.m. does not encourage public involvement. This trial period of 7 p.m. meetings will now allow the working folk to engage with council and the business of the municipality. I strongly encourage members of the public to attend.”

Coun. Doble agreed.

“I’ve been spreading the word and encouraging people to come out — I guess we’ll see,” she said.

“Even if only a handful or none at all attend, it’s important that council meetings are accessible to the majority of our residents if they choose to take advantage.”